Beef / Lamb & Pig Price Tracker

NZ Livestock Market Essentials
Brought to you by Heartland Bank and AgriHQ
Updated 17 January 2022

Overseas demand remains strong, with little indication of key export prices dropping. The volume of beef leaving NZ’s shores was the second highest ever for December at 48,800t. China took 49% followed by the US taking 29%. The remaining were taken by Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. The US market is only a fraction lower than before Christmas with imported bull prices sitting well over US $3/lb, US80c/lb above this time last year. The position of the NZD is providing some support with last weeks exchange rate adding 6% extra to NZ dollar returns on exports compared to last year. China and Korea are also strong providing a good balance on export returns.

Slaughter space is tight for lambs, as processors continue to battle with staffing issues. However, as well as the logistical bottle necks, lambs are still not doing as well as expected. Lamb prices in the North Island are set to ease 10c/kg this week however this still keeps prices at record levels. A 17kgCW lamb this week will be making nearly $38/hd more than a year ago. It is expected that lamb prices will continue to ease over the remainder of January. South Island lambs are getting more weight than expected. Space is available for booked stock however there is little to no room for any extras. Pre- Christmas saw lambs not up to killable weight so carcass weights of 17kg last week were an improvement.

Export markets have reopened to mixed results. There has been softer pricing noted out of China for some key cuts. Some of this is seasonal as they gear up for Chinese New Year celebrations towards the end of the month but exporters will be keeping an eye on any further pricing pressure. Elsewhere the US remains strong with pricing higher on French Rack cuts. Europe and the UK are steady and pricing negotiations for chilled lamb for the Easter Trade looks positive and, in many cases, stronger than what was achieved for Christmas trade. Production for chilled Easter trade gets underway from the 24th of January. If lamb supplies remain heavy it’s unlikely, we will see any bounce in farmgate prices to reflect this supply period.

The country is still experiencing warm and dry conditions. Both islands have experienced higher temperatures with little to no rain in most regions. Pasture levels do not seem to be an issue yet. The warmer than average soil temperatures are keeping the pasture growing but some rain is going to be essential soon to prevent too much of a dry, more so in the South Island and upper-North Island. As the week progresses temperatures should ease a little in the South Island and there is rain forecasted on the east of the North Island.

Processing space remains tight in the North Island, with some having wait times of up to 3 weeks, though prices are barely changed from pre-Christmas. South Island pricing is remaining steady with not a lot of prime cattle or bulls coming forward. A fantastic growing season in December is keeping cattle in paddocks and while the pricing remains flat farmers are in no hurry. Indications are that prime cattle bookings will gain momentum, therefore it is likely we will see some movement soon. Store markets have resumed at steady-to-weaker price points from before the break.
 

Raider112

Member
I was hoping trade for younger ordinary bulls would pick up a bit.Feed cost must be putting buyers off. I saw those calves on the way out when i left.Lot of Hereford X. As you say,too small for that ring,and probably made alot less than in the calf ring.I dont know why they have put the Bulls and weaners in Ring 4.Its too small for the job.One little Blue heifer took a header into the outgoing gate and took it off the hinges.
Due to complaints from sellers on a busy day I would think, not many buyers about at 4 o clock so they have gone back to where the weaners started. I saw that gate, a few seemed to have a go at it, needs that hole blocked off. Not sure how it came off either there was a pin in it when I looked later. Edit, I may have been looking at the wrong gate.
 

cattleman123

Member
Location
devon
NZ Livestock Market Essentials
Brought to you by Heartland Bank and AgriHQ
Updated 17 January 2022

Overseas demand remains strong, with little indication of key export prices dropping. The volume of beef leaving NZ’s shores was the second highest ever for December at 48,800t. China took 49% followed by the US taking 29%. The remaining were taken by Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. The US market is only a fraction lower than before Christmas with imported bull prices sitting well over US $3/lb, US80c/lb above this time last year. The position of the NZD is providing some support with last weeks exchange rate adding 6% extra to NZ dollar returns on exports compared to last year. China and Korea are also strong providing a good balance on export returns.

Slaughter space is tight for lambs, as processors continue to battle with staffing issues. However, as well as the logistical bottle necks, lambs are still not doing as well as expected. Lamb prices in the North Island are set to ease 10c/kg this week however this still keeps prices at record levels. A 17kgCW lamb this week will be making nearly $38/hd more than a year ago. It is expected that lamb prices will continue to ease over the remainder of January. South Island lambs are getting more weight than expected. Space is available for booked stock however there is little to no room for any extras. Pre- Christmas saw lambs not up to killable weight so carcass weights of 17kg last week were an improvement.

Export markets have reopened to mixed results. There has been softer pricing noted out of China for some key cuts. Some of this is seasonal as they gear up for Chinese New Year celebrations towards the end of the month but exporters will be keeping an eye on any further pricing pressure. Elsewhere the US remains strong with pricing higher on French Rack cuts. Europe and the UK are steady and pricing negotiations for chilled lamb for the Easter Trade looks positive and, in many cases, stronger than what was achieved for Christmas trade. Production for chilled Easter trade gets underway from the 24th of January. If lamb supplies remain heavy it’s unlikely, we will see any bounce in farmgate prices to reflect this supply period.

The country is still experiencing warm and dry conditions. Both islands have experienced higher temperatures with little to no rain in most regions. Pasture levels do not seem to be an issue yet. The warmer than average soil temperatures are keeping the pasture growing but some rain is going to be essential soon to prevent too much of a dry, more so in the South Island and upper-North Island. As the week progresses temperatures should ease a little in the South Island and there is rain forecasted on the east of the North Island.

Processing space remains tight in the North Island, with some having wait times of up to 3 weeks, though prices are barely changed from pre-Christmas. South Island pricing is remaining steady with not a lot of prime cattle or bulls coming forward. A fantastic growing season in December is keeping cattle in paddocks and while the pricing remains flat farmers are in no hurry. Indications are that prime cattle bookings will gain momentum, therefore it is likely we will see some movement soon. Store markets have resumed at steady-to-weaker price points from before the break.
Prices easing
 

Frank-the-Wool

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
East Sussex
NZ Livestock Market Essentials
Brought to you by Heartland Bank and AgriHQ
Updated 17 January 2022

Overseas demand remains strong, with little indication of key export prices dropping. The volume of beef leaving NZ’s shores was the second highest ever for December at 48,800t. China took 49% followed by the US taking 29%. The remaining were taken by Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. The US market is only a fraction lower than before Christmas with imported bull prices sitting well over US $3/lb, US80c/lb above this time last year. The position of the NZD is providing some support with last weeks exchange rate adding 6% extra to NZ dollar returns on exports compared to last year. China and Korea are also strong providing a good balance on export returns.

Slaughter space is tight for lambs, as processors continue to battle with staffing issues. However, as well as the logistical bottle necks, lambs are still not doing as well as expected. Lamb prices in the North Island are set to ease 10c/kg this week however this still keeps prices at record levels. A 17kgCW lamb this week will be making nearly $38/hd more than a year ago. It is expected that lamb prices will continue to ease over the remainder of January. South Island lambs are getting more weight than expected. Space is available for booked stock however there is little to no room for any extras. Pre- Christmas saw lambs not up to killable weight so carcass weights of 17kg last week were an improvement.

Export markets have reopened to mixed results. There has been softer pricing noted out of China for some key cuts. Some of this is seasonal as they gear up for Chinese New Year celebrations towards the end of the month but exporters will be keeping an eye on any further pricing pressure. Elsewhere the US remains strong with pricing higher on French Rack cuts. Europe and the UK are steady and pricing negotiations for chilled lamb for the Easter Trade looks positive and, in many cases, stronger than what was achieved for Christmas trade. Production for chilled Easter trade gets underway from the 24th of January. If lamb supplies remain heavy it’s unlikely, we will see any bounce in farmgate prices to reflect this supply period.

The country is still experiencing warm and dry conditions. Both islands have experienced higher temperatures with little to no rain in most regions. Pasture levels do not seem to be an issue yet. The warmer than average soil temperatures are keeping the pasture growing but some rain is going to be essential soon to prevent too much of a dry, more so in the South Island and upper-North Island. As the week progresses temperatures should ease a little in the South Island and there is rain forecasted on the east of the North Island.

Processing space remains tight in the North Island, with some having wait times of up to 3 weeks, though prices are barely changed from pre-Christmas. South Island pricing is remaining steady with not a lot of prime cattle or bulls coming forward. A fantastic growing season in December is keeping cattle in paddocks and while the pricing remains flat farmers are in no hurry. Indications are that prime cattle bookings will gain momentum, therefore it is likely we will see some movement soon. Store markets have resumed at steady-to-weaker price points from before the break.

An extremely interesting report. How often do these come out?

The most significant factor of this is how weak the NZ dollar has become again.
While this might look good in the short term for the NZ primary producer it will mean significant extra costs for them, especially oil and energy.
I will have to book a trip to NZ when we are allowed to go again as a pound buys you over $2.00!!
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

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  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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